HTR gets $5M from NYSERDA for clean energy effort

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has awarded a total of $15 million to three institutions, including High Technology Rochester Inc.

HTR, Columbia University and the Polytechnic Institute of New York University will each receive $5 million in seed money to create Proof-of-Concept Centers dedicated to helping grow entrepreneurs’ high-tech, clean energy businesses.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the Proof-of-Concept Center competitive proposal process in May. The centers will link business experts with early state investors and scientists to help develop their ideas.
The money will be spent at each center over a five-year period, with cost-sharing required. Officials said the centers are expected to operate on their own once the NYSERDA funding ends.

The Proof-of-Concept Center at HTR will serve Western and Central New York. HTR will work with several universities, including the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Buffalo and Cornell University.

“High Tech Rochester is excited to be a part of this important NYSERDA initiative to accelerate the creation and growth of clean-energy startups across the state,” said James Senall, president of HTR, in a statement. “Together with our university, industry and investor partners, we look forward to helping catapult New York State into the national spotlight as a clean-energy leader.”